Honorable Mention

After a lot more research than I wanted, or expected, to do, the list was narrowed down to a top 10.

Missing out on the top 10 were a lot of names that Twins fans and baseball fans in general would recognize.

Guys like Glen Perkins (2004) and Danny Valencia (2006) just do not have the longevity to make the list at this time.

There were also relief pitchers like Jesse Crain (2002) and LaTroy Hawkins (1991), who had successful Twins careers but were never exactly dominant.

Of course, there are also players like Denny Neagle (1989) and Matt Garza (2005), whose careers took off after leaving the Twins organization.

Marty Cordova (1989) did win a Rookie of the Year award but never did quite pan out while with the Twins.

Injuries are the main reason Jason Kubel (2000) is not with the Twins anymore and also why he did not make the top 10.

Jacque Jones (1996) and Doug Mientkiewicz (1995) were integral pieces of the Twins teams that brought success back to Minnesota in the 2000's, but not productive enough in the long run to crack the top ten.

The final player, and toughest omission, had to be Denny Hocking (1989). While it is hard to put a value on a player like Hocking who was so versatile, his statistical value excludes him from the top 10.

8. Corey Koskie

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Drafted: 26th round (715th overall) of 1994 draft

Debut: September 9, 1998

Honors: Finished 25th in AL MVP voting (2001)

Corey Koskie's career may ultimately be defined by the injuries that ended it, but Koskie will be remembered by Twins fans as a key player at a third-base position that had been in flux since Gary Gaetti.

For seven seasons, Koskie made the Metrodome his home and played the hot corner well enough for No. 47 to come in at No. 8 of the top 10.

6. Eddie Guardado

Eddie Guardado earned himself the nickname "Everyday Eddie" as a middle-relief pitcher for the Twins in the 1990s, but his work as the closer in the 2000s is what makes him No. 6 on the list.

It is now hard to believe Guardado started his career as a starting pitcher, but even harder to believe Eddie would end his career among the likes of Jeff Reardon and Rick Aguilera as a legendary closer in Twins history.

While closing games was an adventure on most days, Eddie did set the franchise record for saves in a season in 2002 with 45 and is the Twins' all-time leader in pitching appearances with 648.

5. Brad Radke

Honors: ninth in AL Rookie of the Year voting (1995); third in AL Cy Young Award voting and 25th in MVP voting (1997); All-Star Selection in 1998

Brad Radke comes in at No. 5 on the list for his longevity and consistency during his career with the Twins.

Many will claim his consistency was mostly in giving up first-inning home runs, but Radke's 12-year career with the Twins is easily the best by any starting pitcher the team drafted in the last 25 years.

Torii Hunter comes in at No. 3 on the list for reasons more than just his play on the field.

Hunter became the face of the Twins organization because of his highlight-reel catches and heroics at the plate, but his attitude and personality made him legendary for kids like me growing up during his time with the Twins.

Torii filled the void left by the retirement of Kirby Puckett and gave a new era of Twins fan a reason to not only go to the ballpark, but get outside and try to emulate his play.

While Hunter's career was not as successful as Puckett's, he still left a lasting impression on the franchise that is missed to this day.

Many questioned the decision to select Joe Mauer first overall in 2001 over pitcher Mark Prior, but I would say the Twins made the right call.

Until injuries in recent years sidetracked Joe, he was without a doubt the best catcher in baseball and on track to one day be named to the Hall of Fame.

While Joe could have easily topped this list, he comes in at No. 2 because his career is not over, and my superstitions make me believe this will somehow motivate him into becoming the player he once was yet again.

Chuck Knoblauch comes in at No. 1 on the list of top 10 Twins draft picks in the last 25 years because he accomplished one thing that no one else on the list has done: He won a World Series title as a Twin.

The 1991 World Series Championship on top of his stellar playing career with the Twins makes him the right choice to be No. 1.

Also, don't forget that he also was traded to the New York Yankees in 1998 for Cristian Guzman and Eric Milton.

Maybe the lasting image of Knoblauch is him launching throws from second base into the stands at Yankee Stadium, but for Twins fans it should be of a champion. That is why he tops this list.